Thornapple Arts Council

Barry County Michigan

269.945.2002

231 S Broadway St
Hastings, MI 49058

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Union Block Project

November 8, 2021 By TACAdmin Leave a Comment

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Union Block Project

If you’ve been in Hastings lately, you’ve probably seen our latest project — the Union Block mural! Located on the old Secondhand Corners building on the corner of Jefferson and State, the Union Block Project was commissioned by TAC, designed and painted by Hastings artist J. Maizlish Mole, and created on wall space generously donated by building owner Tom Kramer.

Union Block Final

About the Project

The Beginning
The Union Block Project started with TAC Executive Director Megan Lavell. Hoping to add a mural to downtown Hastings, Lavell reached out to local artist J. Maizlish Mole and DPS superintendent Jim James for their input. Mole agreed to take on the project, James recommended a building, and the project was put in motion.

The Concept
For the artwork itself, Lavell gave Mole three guidelines:

  • Nothing offensive
  • Nothing political
  • Something that will make people think and talk

With those broad directives, Mole dreamed up the Union Block, a dramatic white-filled outline of the United States on a black background, with a large red asterisk highlighting Hastings.

“The asterisk over Hastings shows that, in this nation, we matter. Hastings matters.”

-Anonymous Donor

The Players

The Donors
The Union Block Project was generously funded by Tom Kramer; the Barry Community Foundation; local philanthropy group Guys Who Give; Wightman Inc.; and three anonymous donors.

The Building
Located on the corner of Jefferson and State, the Union Block building is better known to locals as the old Secondhand Corners Building. Building owner Tom Kramer generously agreed to let the new mural be painted on his building and donated the existing mural panel decorations back to TAC.

The Artist
Hastings Artist J. Maizlish Mole specializes in detailed maps, drawn freehand after immersing himself in the places he is mapping.  Born in California, he attended both Parsons School of Design and the New School for Social Research in New York before earning his MA from London’s Slade School of Art. He has performed, exhibited and recorded all over the world and under a variety of names. Learn more

Union Block 1
Union Block 2
Union Block 3
Union Block 4

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231 South Broadway
Hastings, MI 49058
269-945-2002
Regular hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9:00-4:00

The Thornapple Arts Council is supported in part by an operational grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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  • HOME
  • PERFORMING ARTS
    ▼
    • Fair Ground Festival
    • Hastings Live
    • Hastings Performing Arts Center
    • Jazz Festival
    • Thornapple Players
  • VISUAL ARTS
    ▼
    • Art in the Air
    • Artist Directory
    • Barry County Artists Exhibition
  • ARTS AND EATS
    ▼
    • Artists
    • Farms
    • Restaurants
    • Central Venue
  • EDUCATION & ASSISTANCE
    ▼
    • Community Music School
    • Financial Assistance
    • Additional Aid Opportunities
  • NEWS
    ▼
    • In the Media
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Blog
  • GIVE BACK
    ▼
    • Auction
    • Donate
  • ABOUT US
    ▼
    • What We Do
    • Staff / Board
    • Calendar
    • Contact Us